Diego Garcia knows how to mine romantic yearning in his work, and his new album Paradise continues to expand upon the romantic sound he has been shaping throughout his career. His music drifts listeners back to the 1970's with its soft melodic riffs and use of strings, delicate percussion, and Spanish guitars; Garcia's lyrics lay gently on top in such a way that sounds like the crescendo of softly sung Spanish and lull audiences into pure enjoyment with each melodic turn.

This week there are two Free At Noon performances. First one is Diego Garcia at The World Cafe Live at the Queen in Wilmington. The second is a Amos Lee at the World Cafe Live in Philadelphia.

The Diego Garcia Free at Noon is at the World Cafe Live at the Queen in Wilmington.

The Amos Lee Free At Noon is SOLD OUT at the World Cafe Live Philadelphia

You can still sign up for Diego Garcia.

Back in Philly, the second half of the show welcomes hometown favorite Amos Lee. His fifth LP, Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song, is out on Blue Note Records this month, and its possibly Lee's most stylistically adventurous release to date. While staying true to the singer-songwriter template that earned him an international following, Lee ventures into old timey country and ragtime sounds in some moments of the album, while rolling out some expansive rockers at others. He also collaborates with some impressive names – Patty Griffin and Allison Krauss. He'll be back in town on November 27th to headline the Tower Theater in Upper Darby.

From indie-alternative rock in his formative band Elefant to the suave and catchy acoustic crooning we've come to love, Diego Garcia is an artist with range. His second solo album, Paradise, is out this month on Concord Records, and it stays true to the Latin flavors of his 2011 debut Laura – an XPN listener favorite – but steps the game up with fuller sounding and more expansive production. He headlines World Cafe Live in Philadelphia on October 23rd, but this week's Free at Noon double-header performance from World Cafe Live at The Queen in Delaware will give you a taste of what to expect later this month.

The Diego Garcia Free at Noon is at the World Cafe Live at the Queen in Wilmington.

CD of the Month 2011

If by chance you were a fan of the New York rock band Elefant you may already be familiar with Diego Garcia. But what you’ll hear on Garcia’s first solo album is a stylistic change in direction; a welcomed one. We hear Garcia turn the page on his alternative rock leanings and also turn down the volume for a gracefully executed set of songs on Laura.

If by chance you were a fan of the New York rock band Elefant you may already be familiar with Diego Garcia. But what you’ll hear on Garcia’s first solo album is a stylistic change in direction; a welcomed one. We hear Garcia turn the page on his alternative rock leanings and also turn down the volume for a gracefully executed set of songs on Laura.

Diego Garcia first rose to prominence in the New York indie rock scene as frontman of the moody post-punk group Elefant. After the band split, Garcia pursued a solo career, and released his debut, Laura, earlier this year.